Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - When Oceans Rise

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

When Oceans Rise by Robin Alvarez

17 reviews

roseleebooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a unique and engaging retelling. The story is paced well, supporting characters are well written, and the portrayal of a main character getting out of a toxic relationship compelling.

The narration took me a little while to get into but by the end I appreciated the way that Malaya was portrayed. Her tone and voice seems to grow and change with her.

I wished there was more time for Malaya's relationship with Salvador to be shown, but can appreciate that that wasn't really the focus of the story.

This is a story of overcoming trauma told in a way that is at times sad, terrifying, joyful, and reflective. The various family dynamics are so well done throughout. I wish I'd had a chance to read this as a teenager when it would have given me so much perspective about choices and consequences.

Content Warnings

paulineerika's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Bumping this rating up. This is definitely an ambitious book. Alvarez tackles so many things in this book, from abusive dating relationships to complicated mother-daughter relationships to feeling like an outsider no matter what you do to wanting your culture to be seen, all within the backdrop of Filipino mythology.

I think my biggest gripe with the book is that it can read as a little scattered, jumping from plot point to plot point and not letting certain elements develop enough.

For example, we really don't see very much of the gaslighting or abuse Malaya suffers at the hands of her boyfriend--instead, we're mostly told that she did in the first couple of chapters. This may have been a stylistic choice by Alvarez to avoid too graphic of details, but I would have liked at least a little more description to give more context to Malaya's decision and desperation. Similarly, the family "curse" is really only mentioned in passing and doesn't actually play that large a role in the story. And then randomly, there are gods and Salvador is their champion? What?

But as I said, it's ambitious and while the story doesn't always hit its marks, I still applaud the effort.

Content Warnings

lou_mac's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

I loved the story of this - a little mermaid retelling but with different timelines and filipino mythology, yes please! the characters were relatable and didn't have the annoying teenage-ness I sometimes find in YA.

Pretty much up to the 75% mark it was an even 4stars, but the ending felt a little rushed and convenient, and there were a few bits of shoddy editing (sentences being fully repeated very close together etc) which brought it down.

Still a lovely read though!

Content Warnings

utopiastateofmind's review

Go to review page

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

When Oceans Rise is an emotional story which begins detailing Malaya's abusive relationship. The ways that when we have been isolated, emotionally manipulated, we cannot see the way out, we don't see what's happening in front of us. How we won't leave this love, this relationship, untouched or unchanged. It was heart wrenching. Love which burns and freezes. All the red flags. The ways her words, feelings, and world begin to twist away form her.

And then When Oceans Rise allows Malaya to make a deal with a sea witch to give up her voice for a universe in which she's not dating Ian. However, this deal not only spells unintended consequences for Malaya's family and friends in this world, but also for the world itself. Suddenly Filipino mythological creatures are appearing and endangering everyone around her. Not only that, but the ripples of these consequences from her deal.

Content Warnings

hjhynson's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

“When Oceans Rise” is the tale of 17-year-old Filipino-American Malaya who begins to lose herself in the whirlwind of an abusive relationship. As her personal relationships with her friends and family falter and suffer, Malaya finds that a sea witch, one of many FIlipino mythological creatures, may be her only out.

The first few chapters of this novel were a bit disorienting as I struggled to make sense of many of Malaya’s choices, in addition to some of the dialogue leading into time jumps. While I understand that the confusion was most likely intentional to display how abusive relationships can truly alter one’s reality, feeling like my own reality was being tampered with (as a reader) left me unsettled.

The moment Malaya is able to separate herself from her horrifying reality, her new life shows her all the possibilities of who she could be and what she could do if she found the strength inside of her to end things with her abusive boyfriend. I was enthralled to dive into the Filipino mythology and learn more about the culture and practices which helped Malaya figure out her real place in the world. I was devastated at the details of her abusive relationship, but I was also strengthened by the relationships she found in her new life as they unconsciously healed parts of herself that fractured in her past life.

I love a story that can immerse me in a whole new culture, even if I’m even marginally familiar with it. I’ve had a lot of Filipino/a friends in my life, but the details of the mythological folklore kept me involved in the story. If you’re interested in learning about the background of a culture you’re not 100% familiar with, but also want to know one way someone works through the problematic nature of a “supposedly” loving relationship, I highly recommend this book!

4.25/5 stars!

Content Warnings

lisashelves's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

ohnalee95's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I received an ARC not long ago and immediately wanted to read it. I’m so glad I spent the time to fully envelop myself in this world and the pain and heartbreak Mal experienced. It was really hard to experience these things through her eyes, but the writing was considerate to real-life experiences. The family dynamic gave me a perspective I have not seen before in a novel and I enjoyed it. I will be reading more from this author!

Content Warnings

More...